DUSHANBE, September 2, 2011, Asia-Plus — President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met in Dushanbe on Thursday and reviewed bilateral relations and regional situation, the Associated Press Pakistan (APP) reports.
The two leaders who met here at the sidelines of the third Quadrilateral Summit exchanged views on situation in Afghanistan, geo-strategic scenario after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, bilateral cooperation in fighting the menace of narco trade, extremism and terrorism. The two leaders discussed the issue of Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Agreement and emphasized on its smooth functioning. They agreed that issues if any in the new Pak-Afghan Trade Agreement would be resolved soon. President Asif Ali Zardari assured President Karzai that Pakistan was fully supportive of Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process.
He said stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s own interest. President Zardari said that Pakistan was committed to support Afghanistan in restoring peace and strengthening its institutional capabilities.
He said that Pakistan wishes to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan which was also in its own interest.
The President said that Pakistan firmly believes in the policy of non-interference in the internal matters and would support all efforts by the Afghan Government to restore order in the country and find a permanent political solution.
He said that we support indigenous and all inclusive process of reconciliation in Afghanistan. The Afghan Peace Jirga and Kabul Conference are important milestones in this direction, the President said.
He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan not only share cultural heritage and border but also their problems are of similar nature. Militancy and Narco-threat continued to pose threat to peace of the region and the world, he remarked.
The issue of incursions from Afghanistan into Pakistani territory also came under discussion during the meeting.
